Colorado Riders Thread

[deadpan]

Ride Saturday is getting close
Plan on leaving Misfits at 8:38
Will have second meeting place for northern riders
Sedalia (hwy 85 & hwy 67 leaving at 10:02
Eta Misfits 2:30 - 3:00
Sees ya there

[deadpan]

Thanks Seth
Make that in two weeks 5/28/16 

I'm planning to be there. Will there be pie??

That's like asking if Valkyries will be there. 

Okay seriously, who's bringing the pie! 

Guess I could.   

That's not pie Seth

[Valkorado]

Hope Mother Nature doesn't poop on my plans again.  This is from the Monarch Pass webcam just a few minutes ago, and what is forecast for the weekend and Sunday afternoon.  Don't like that chit!

[MarkT]

Just went over Monarch yesterday and ate in Gunnison at the BBQ place yesterday.  Pass clean as a whistle.  Glad it was I was leading a flatlander who was terrified of mountain driving.  Made it a LONG trip to Durango.  I'm there right now.  Returning tomorrow with another Valkyrie in tow, This time over Wolf Creek pass.  Black Tourer 1998 with 16k miles.  That makes 4.  It will be up for sale after I go over it with a tuning fork.

[Misfit]

Hope Mother Nature doesn't poop on my plans again.  This is from the Monarch Pass webcam just a few minutes ago, and what is forecast for the weekend and Sunday afternoon.  Don't like that chit!

That is no more than a wet road with some snow on the shoulder. No worries. It will all be gone or near so by the time you're headed this way. Come ahead on. Don't miss out. 

[Tailgate Tommy]

Just do it!!

[DarkSideR]

Seth,

Just go around it. Head the back way to Cortez, down to Farmington, up to Alamosa, then on to Salida. That is only a 580 mile, but very pleasant detour. A Scooby Snack for the Valkyrie.  

[Valkorado]

Seth,

Just go around it. Head the back way to Cortez, down to Farmington, up to Alamosa, then on to Salida. That is only a 580 mile, but very pleasant detour. A Scooby Snack for the Valkyrie.  

   I might detour via Cochetopa Pass and Saguache to or fro' (or both) depending on reports.

[J.Mencalice]

http://westerncovintage.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=s3lddtdji7r3h799kph8o58ap2&topic=945.0

Next weekend, if of any interest to anyone.
Neat place, Palisade, Colorado.  The Palisade Cafe has reopened with some pretty good dishes utilizing local providers as much as possible for their ingredients.  Breakfast and lunch.

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/palisade-cafeacute-8232reopens-fresh-local

Weather forecast is excellent: sunny and maybe in the high 80's to low 90's in the Grand Valley.
 

[Valkorado]

Good to see everybody this weekend!  Many thanks to Damon and the Kinters for hosting a great get together.  Good fun, food, folks and music!

Two bikes.  Two alternators replaced, two weeks apart!  What are the odds of that?  I'm knocking on wood that I won't have to sing the alternator blues again.  Thanks to everyone who shared the frustration and donated their blood (I saw that, Ron and MarkT), sweat and tears (OK, I was probably the only one close to tears).  You guys are the greatest!

EDIT:  I want to say a bit more about Misfit and his family.  Damon is one savvy, upstanding and very talented (cool) dude.  He is truly a self made, self sufficient man.  If it can be built by hand, fixed, or improved upon chances are Damon has done or can do it.  I think I can safely say that the entire Colorado crew has great respect for the man.  Damon knows Valkyries inside out (just look at his bike's paint job), and he is our go to guy for help and advice.  This holds true beyond the realm of bikes; if Damon tells you something you can take it to the bank.  He's a straight shooter.  Behind every great man is a wonderful woman, and Kim is definitely that.  It you want to know Kim's character, look at the Kinter kids (adult "kids", too).  They are all different, but they share a kindness and joy for living that is evident and rarely seen nowadays.  Kim and Damon have instilled great values into their kids.  They are helpful, respectful, kind, happy, bright and talented!

Much respect and thanks again for everything.  YOU GUYS ROCK!!!

[Brewer]

Good to see everybody this weekend!  Many thanks to Damon and the Kinters for hosting a great get together.  Good fun, food, folks and music!
SNIP

Seth, you said it. I fun and helpful crew. Good to see everyone and I hope for may more rides with you.

[DarkSideR]

It was good to see the crew.

Thank you Damon for your hospitality, as well as the school of Valk.

[Tailgate Tommy]

I had a great time! Nice to see everyone again. Did I mention it was a great time!!
Special thanks to Damon and the family for the hospitality and the great BBQ! And to Deadpan for leading us around the mountains for a couple outstanding rides!

[Misfit]

Thank you to all that took the time to come and hang out with us. I had a blast this weekend. A special thanks to Josh for showing up early and jumping in to wrench and learn, MarkT rolled up his sleeves and got dirty also, and Deadpan Dick stepped up and lead rides both Saturday and Sunday. Great weather, great friends , and great riding. I am truly blessed.  Thank you all for coming and for the kind words. We will do it again soon. 

[MarkT]

Thanks to Damon & Kim for a great day, fabulous cookout & wrenching party.  Always a treat to mooch offa youse guys!  

Thanks to Dick for leading the rides.  Yesterday's, per garmin was 436 miles for us (about 80 to/from Damon's). Biggest local ride for us for a while!  I had forgotten Hwy 12 through Cuchara and around the Spanish Peaks was the Trail of Legends.  Been a long time since we used to camp down there at Bear Lake.  For those who haven't been, S of Cuchara right at the first hairpin turn, a dirt road west goes up 5 miles to two alpine lakes, Blue first and within a mile and higher up, Bear lake.  We always camped at Bear.  It was improved camping but back then more than 20 years ago the water wasn't working so we didn't have to pay - hauled in our water.  The place was popular even then - generally most of the sites were taken up by Texans.  I was still always able to get a site, and generally stayed for a week.  The lake was stocked, bait (or flies) allowed, and it's chock full of brookies and rainbows - really great eating.  I always truck camped, with my 14 inch cast iron skillet.  Nothing finer than pan fried trout for breakfast - and dinner for that matter! Took my solar shower, hung it from a tree limb and put up a tarp for privacy - all the comforts of home.  Now Damon says the trees are just shrubs now - back then there were plenty of them.  I'd take the truck and my ax and go retrieve firewood up the roads to the west, away from the lake area, even higher.  I wonder if there was a fire to take out the trees since the altitude is about 10k (only approx I didn't have a GPS then) and the timberline at this lattitude is about 11.4k.
Spanish Peaks Country says it's at 10.5k at http://spanishpeakscountry.com/activities-attractions/36-2/san-isabel-national-forest/bear-lake/
Here's a pic of Bear Lake.  Not real big but lovely.  Or was - haven't been there in 20 years.



Anyway, great place to camp and fish.  Can't backcast with a flyrod unless you are out in the water - I didn't do that; used ultralight spincasting gear and casting floats. I think it might be too deep for waders but again, didn't try - could be wrong.  I did pull my limit several times which was 29 fish at the time.  And fed the whole family.  They weren't as successful.

We are looking into a cookout here sometime this season but it's really vague still. I can't compare on the Kinter's shop beauty, decorations or facility / size but have a lot of tools and several lifts.  And several smokers and BBQ equipment, a hot tub, Mararita's, several acres and an open space type neighborhood. Room for frisbee! I'm thinking of putting together a Mark's Brisket recipe on the big smoker but have to develop & test it so no date set up yet. I also make popular baby back ribs. Please don't ask - I'll announce when I have it worked out.

[Brewer]

That looks like a great place

[Misfit]

The trees are still the same. The lake is heavily treed but the upper campground is sparsely treed compared to blue lake campground below. Either way it is a great place to camp and fish. I look forward to your gathering. Thanks for stepping up and getting it done. Tell June thanks for getting up early to ride with us. It is always a pleasure when she is around. She is always so pleasant. 

[DarkSideR]

I need a volunteer. Someone in Colorado Springs or Denver area that is going to InZane. I need someone who is willing to let me put a DayMaker headlight in their Standard, or Tourer (sorry, no Interstates). Someone who is willing to show it off at InZane for me so I can get more interest in the kit I am developing.

[Misfit]

2nd annual Darby Hagger The Horrible ride and loging info.
For those north of me or near here we will be rolling from my place at 8:00 am Saturday September 3rd. We will meet Mark/June and anyone else riding 285 or 50 in Poncha Springs around 10:00-10:30. Roll out from there and hook up with Seth at the park and he will lead us to lunch. From there Seth will lead us through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison and through Crawford into Montrose. We will be staying at the Country Lodge. Their number is 970-249-4567 call now to reserve your room. They will fill up because of the holiday weekend. Don't wait. I was not able to get the price down because of the Holiday and the fact that we are only there for one night. There is a three bedroom cabin there that is a cheap route if some of you want to share that. It has a full kitchen and a nice living area also. Some that took this ride four years ago stayed there and liked it. When you call mention the VRCC and they are expecting us and can keep the rooms closer together. From there Seth will lead us to Creede over the Million Dollar Hiway to stay at the Snowshoe Inn. This is another great mom and pop with clean rooms and a homemade breakfast. Those that rode four years ago will remember how nice these folks are. There number is 719-658-2315 again don't procrastinate. These rooms are going to fill up. From there will will head back to Gunnison for a brief farewell to Seth/Cheryl and back over Monarch Pass. Hopefully the BBQ place in Gunny is open this trip. I've heard good things about it. The Horsefly in Montrose has some good chow also. If you could reply to this thread with intensions of making this trip we could get an idea of who's going and if some want to split a room. This is always a good ride and I look forward to riding and honoring a Good Good man. RIP my friend. 

[Valk-Obsessed]

Interested, have to see if I have a new job soon to determine vacation time avaiability.

[Tailgate Tommy]

I'm in.

[Valkorado]

Looking forward, should be a great ride!    We took Big Bertha to Montrobia and back today.  She's having some sputtering issues, only at altitude.  She choked atop Monarch several weeks ago too.  Guess the sea level settings need to be tweaked for this neck of the woods.  Think I should go to 38s Damon?

[DarkSideR]

Looking forward, should be a great ride!    We took Big Bertha to Montrobia and back today.  She's having some sputtering issues, only at altitude.  She choked atop Monarch several weeks ago too.  Guess the sea level settings need to be tweaked for this neck of the woods.  Think I should go to 38s Damon?

I spoke to Attic Rat about 38's in the low speed jets. He says 38's are only good for adding a bunch of unneeded  carbon to the engine. He has seen too many motors with the internals blackened out because of 38's, and is against them.

I dont have them and my bike runs fine at all altitudes. To help you save money and a huge amount of time you would be better to start by adjusting the pilot screws leaning the bike up a bit. They should be 2-1/4 turns out up here in Colorado. Hope this helps.

[Misfit]

Under a load you should be off of your idle circuit. Your slow jets are not a factor over 3000 rpm. It could be an electrical problem if it is intermittent. Fuel starvation would be more of a constant and easily reproduced problem.  

[DarkSideR]

I'm in for the Memorial day ride. Will book hotels tomorrow.

[MarkT]

We're in for sure.  Looking fwd to that brisket in Gunnison, it's excellent.

BTW I posted on a Inzane thread, replaced my Dan-Marc with a bigger one as getting fuel starvation for sure pulling that heavy trailer at speed especially when the temps got high.  I had to hold the speed down (doing that anyway) but more so when the heat and winds came up.  Had to keep the main tank pretty full to maintain enough head pressure.  Problem gone now I'm sure with this large solenoid.  Just a headsup - the Dan-Marc is marginal for delivering enough fuel. The orifice is tiny.  Now have a 3/8" orifice.

[Valkorado]

Thanks for the info, guess the jets will stay stock.

Bertha's running like a raped ape, except when going up mountain passes -- fast.  Which, unfortunately, is what I like to do.  It does seem more prevalent when I've got a half tank of fuel or less -- no problems on ride over Cerro to Montrose, but sputtered at Cerro summit on the way back.  Hauling ass both ways.

Mark please email more info on that solenoid, and where to purchase.  Does it fit the same diameter hoses as the Dan-Marc?

[MarkT]

The company is ehcotech.com, p/n 291260556269 3/8" elect solenoid valve 12v air, water, gas, fuel. Cost $25.95.  You need a couple parts from the hardware store - I bought a 3/8" IPT X 1/4" IPT brass bushing, and a 3/8" IPT X 1/4" barb brass fitting.  You can see them in the above pic. But you need to go get the parts as needed for your setup, might be different from mine.

[MarkT]

We will be staying in Salida again this year on Fri night.  At the Salida Inn & Monarch Suites this time. BTW they discount for nam vets (maybe others too). Bring your DD-214. A couple hundred yds west of the Country Bounty - great food, good prices, live entertainment on the back patio.  A favorite local's hangout.  We'll eat there probably 2nd sitting around 7:30.

[Misfit]

Darby Riders as of now that I know of.
Me
Ron
Dick
Cory
Cory's friend
Mark/June
Josh
Tom
Chase
Jamie
JP/Butch
Seth
Dean will meet us Sunday in Creede
Maybe's are.
DDT
Mike/Tracy Mcnaughten
McKenna
Chris
Phil
Brewer
Anyone else?

[Brewer]

I am a maybe, working out the schedule before booking hotels

[Tailgate Tommy]

Got my hotel rooms booked! Really looking forward to it!
Tom

[Misfit]

If you mention VRCC when you call for reservations they will try and keep our rooms together as a much as possible. Get em while you can. That weekend will sell out. 

[Valkorado]

We're booked.  And psyched!

[Tailgate Tommy]

If you mention VRCC when you call for reservations they will try and keep our rooms together as a much as possible. Get em while you can. That weekend will sell out.  

When I called both said no problem putting us togeather.

[DarkSideR]

I'm booked at both hotels . You can book online at the Country Lodge, but have to call the Snowshoe.

[baird4444]

Darby Riders as of now that I know of.
Me
Ron
Dick
Cory
Cory's friend
Mark/June
Josh
Tom
Chase
Jamie
JP/Butch
Seth
Dean will meet us Sunday in Creede
Maybe's are.
DDT
Mike/Tracy Mcnaughten
McKenna
Chris
Phil
Brewer
Anyone else?

would like to catch up fer lunch in Gunnison then ride on back with y'all
to Montrose. Checking with work and my favorite wife....
               - Mike
we also have a new to town BBQ, JIMMERS from Cortez opened here in Montrose
last year, may want to check them out.....

http://www.jimmersbbq.com/menus.html

[Misfit]

Took a little ride with Ron and Dick today. We are holed up for the night in Rawlins WY. Great ride today. I coudnt tell you how many times we were rained on. Not heavy rain but heavy enough to piss Ron off.  Not sure where we will end up tomorrow but may head down pudre cannon and buckhorn before heading back to the west. Good motorcycles, good roads, and good friends. Does it get any better? 

[DarkSideR]

Took a little ride with Ron and Dick today. We are holed up for the night in Rawlins WY. Great ride today. I coudnt tell you how many times we were rained on. Not heavy rain but heavy enough to piss Ron off.  Not sure where we will end up tomorrow but may head down pudre cannon and buckhorn before heading back to the west. Good motorcycles, good roads, and good friends. Does it get any better? 

Yup, reading this post confirmed it. Im retiring at 55.

[Misfit]

The Soggy Bottom Boys are home safe. Rode 1000 miles over that past two and a half days with 850 mountain road miles. Rode through rain/ hail yesterday but had a great time. Left Woodland Park Saturday am and headed north to Pine Junction. Up 285 to Grant then across Guenella(sp) pass and into Lake George for lunch. Guenella pass is newly paved and a great road. From there we took I70 to Silverthorn where we stopped to watch the Bald Eagles north of town. Rode north towards Steamboat and they had ripped the road out. About 5-6 miles of dirt before we hit Tarmac again. Through Steamboat and Craig where we turned north towards WY. Got a chance to ride through the middle of Baggs WY. What a treat. Landed in Rawlins WY for the night. We ate supper at a decent restaurant and began a quest for pie. We rode all over Rawlins and there wasn't a single slice of pie in the whole town. Dick had to settle for ice cream from the gas station next to the hotel. Sunday am we headed south on 130 through Saratoga and made a loop up to Laramie. If you are ever in that area the road between Saratoga and Centenial is a great ride and the reason we went to WY.
It's hard to believe this place exists in southern WY. I believe it's called the Snowy Mountain Range in Medicine Bow National Forest. We were at 10800' on a twisty road surrounded with beautiful scenery. Who'd a thunk? From there we rode to Waldon CO for lunch and headed out on 14 through Poudre Cannon. Cut off through Buckhorn cannon and over to Masonville. Ron needed fuel so we made a B line to Estes Park. What a Zoo. We thought about riding through RMNP but knew it would be crowded and it was 3:30 and we needed to get someplace that would have a room available for less than a small fortune so we took 119 through Nederland and over to Blackhawk. That road is also newly paved and more fun without all of the old pot holes. Caught I70 and headed west at Idaho Springs looking to make Leadville for the night. Just before the Eisenhour Tunnel we hit rain and hail. Ron pulled off to gear up and Dick and I chose to ride it out making a break for the safety of the tunnel. We slowed down and rode slow though the tunnel and when we exited out the other side it was just sprinkling and the sun was trying to come out. We waited there for Ron and rode to Copper Mountain where we exited to take Freemont Pass into Leadville. Arrived in LV around 7:00 and scored a cheap room for three. Headed to downtown LV and ate fillet minion at Quinceys. Great meal but no pie. Dick had to settle for cheesecake. After 800 miles and not for the lack of trying Dick still hadn't found a single slice of pie. The next morning we talked about looping around to Aspen and coming over Independance Pass but chose the short route and headed back over Freemont Pass to Frisco and rode nine down to Faiplay. From there we went north to Terryall Reservoir road and ran out of asphalt not far after the lake. Rode a rough dirt trail for the next eight miles to Lake George. From there we took 24 to Colorado Springs and on to Ron's house. Arrived at noon. Earlier Ron had offered to fix us lunch at his place. I called Kim and told her to meet us at Ron's. Ron jumped into the pickup and headed to the store. He came back with some groceries and two Pies. Kim showed up and knowing Dick would be there brought three pies. Dick was a happy man. We rode 1000 miles looking for pie and ended up just 24 miles from where we started to get any. It was all worth it. I had a very large time riding with Dick and Ron. Two worthwhile companions. A huge thanks to Deadpan Dick for leading is on a great adventure. Dick is a stud and there is no place that I wouldn't ride with him. We rode to the Gulf of Mexico earlier this year. Then out to the east coast last month. We are kicking around the idea of running up to the Canadian border and out to the west coast before the year is over. If it works out will will have hit all four borders together in the same year. I started riding with Dick three years ago and have since logged thousands of miles with that dude and couldn't ask for a better traveling mate. Thanks again my friends for a great ride. 
 PS
Dick told me a story about Tom that took place in WV. Funny story and it has earned Tom a new handle. Tailgate Tommy. You will need to update your profile Tom.